Capital Pride and the Equality March take place this weekend in Washington, D.C. and next week, the Hampton Roads LGBTQ community will come together in Town Point Park to celebrate and remember. This year, our community does not have support from many in power at the national level and this year Pride and visibility are needed more than ever.
Before we hit the streets covered in glitter and rainbows, take ten minutes and watch Sir Ian McKellen recite Harvey Milk’s “Hope” speech. Milk delivered this speech nearly forty years ago on the steps of San Francisco City Hall, encouraging people to celebrate their differences and offering hope for the future. Five months later, Milk would be assassinated by along with Mayor Moscone. While a few of the names in the speech (i.e. Anita Bryant) have changed, the homophobes are still with us, but the theme and message in Milk’s words are just as relevant today as in 1978.
Pro-tip, have a tissue ready. You are going to need it.
“You gotta give ’em hope!”
